Means for pumping fluids



April 5, 1932. c G HOLT 1,852,242

MEANS FOR PUMPING FLUIDS F i1ed Oct. 7. 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 UPERA TING.4 Q U/D QTTORA/c 4 April 5, 1932. c. G. HOLT MEANS FOR PUMPING FLUIDS 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. '7, 1929 v/fA/////////// A ril 5, 1932.. cHOLT 1,852,242

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Patented Apr. 5, 1932 (SLAUDE G. HOLT, OF ST. J'OHNS STATION, MISSOURIMEANS FOR PUMPING FLUIDS Application filed October 7, 1929. Serial No.397,849.

This invention relates to means for pumping fluids. One of the objectsof the inven tion is to successfully utilize a pulsating device todisplace the fluid to be pumped. The

pump may be provided with ordinary inlet and discharge valves, and theabove mentioned device may be pulsated between these valves to admit thefluid at the inlet valve and to then force it past the discharge valve.

Another object is to produce a device of this kind in which the pulsatoris operated by a confined fluid which does not contact with the fluid tobe pumped.

A more specific object of the invention is to produce a simple elasticpulsator confining the operating fluid and contacting with the fluid tobe pumped. In this form of the invention, the confined operating fluidmay be subjected to intermittent thrusts at a point remote from thepulsator, with the result of expanding and contracting the elasticpulsator and thereby displacing the fluid to be pumped.

Another object is to produce a pulsator adapted to be located in a deepwell, and to transmit power to the pulsator by means of aslong body ofconfined operating liquid extending from the pulsator to any convenientpoint where the power is applied. For example, a motor-driven piston maybe located at any convenient point above the ground, or in a basementremote from the well, and the confined operating fluid may extend fromthis piston to the pulsator near the bottom of the well.

This enables the power plant to be located at any convenient point, andsince the power is transmitted through a fluid, it is not necessary touse sucker-rods, pistons, or an similar mechanical parts 1n the wellitsel In the preferred form of the invention, I dispense with suchdevices in the well, as they are expensive and very difficult to removefor repairs. A sliding piston requires occasional repairs at the packingwhich should be maintained in condition to prevent excessive leakage. Asucker-rod is subject to the danger of breakage and likely to be bentand otherwise mutilated when it falls 59 in a well.

In the improvement hereafter described, the confined operating -fluidperforms the function of a sucker-rod, while the pulsator performs thefunction of a piston in forcing liquid from the well, and the pulsatingdevice can be easily sealed to eliminate the danger of leakage.

Another object is to produce a pump of this kind in which the downwardressure, due to the weight of the column 0 elevated liqco uid, is partlyor entirely balanced by a correspondin column of operating liquid. Thepulsating c evice, near the bottom of the well, lies between these .twobodies of liquid, so

the pressureof the liquids at opposite sides I of the ized. A. a

To start the pump, a downward thrust is pulsator can be approximatelyequal imparted to the column of confined operating liquid, therebymoving the pulsator to displace the corresponding column of liquid to beelevated. Intermittent thrusts on the confined operating liquid causepulsations which continually discharge the other liquid from the well.

Another feature of the invention lies in a relief device having separateand distinct functions, and while it is most .advantageous to performall of these functions, the invention is not limited to the combination,except as specified in the claims hereunto annexed.

Briefly stated, it is an advantage to have control over the capacity, oroutput, of any pump, this being especially true in pumpin from a deepwell having a rather limite flowa For example, if liquid enters the wellat the rate of three gallons per minute, it is not'desirable to use aconstantly operating pump with a displacement of six gallons per minute.

I have shown a pumping apparatus including a conductor through whichfluid is transmitted to and from a cylinder contain-' ing a piston. andthis conductor is provided with an' adjustable relief valve throughwhich portions of the fluid are discharged to regulate the deliveryfluid from the pumping. apparatus. The piston may be driven at arelatively high speed, and it is not necessary to vary the stroke of thepiston, as the capacity or output of the pump can be reduced to thedesired extent by merely adjusting the relief valve.

This function can be obtained when the relief device is used withdifferent types of pumping apparatus, and to illustrate one form of theinvention I have shown a relief valve associated with the confinedoperating fluid, to automatically discharge portions of said fluid,thereby reducing the pressure at the pulsator which receives its powerfrom said operating fluid.

Another important advantage of a relief device associated with thepulsator is obtained in starting the pumping apparatus. It is convenientto use an electric motor, or the like, as the source of power, and totransmit this power to a piston and thence through the operating fluidto the pulsator. A desirable type of electric motor operates at only onespeed, and this speed is obtained instantaneously in starting the motor.Therefore,

' the piston is started instantaneously at its normal operating speed,and this imparts a very sudden and extremely severe thrust to theconfined operating liquid. There should be some relief to preventbreakage, and to gradually bring the pulsator into service.

I have shown how the desired action can be obtained by permittingportions of the confined liquor to escape through-a pressureresponsiverelief valve, and I have also shown how this liquid is automaticallyreturned to the main body- With the foregoing and other objects in view,the invention comprises the novel construction, combination andarrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferredembodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that theinvention comprehends changes, variations and modifications which comewithin the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Fig. 1 is a top view, partly in section, showin the power plant on ahollow table.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical view of a pumping apparatus embodying thefeatures of this invention, showing a well and a power plant remote fromthe well.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section showing the pisston which imparts downwardthrusts to the confined operating fluid, and also showing conductorsthrough which the liquid from the well is transmitted to and from thespace above the piston.

' chamber in which it is located.

Fig. 6 is a side view, partly in section, show- 1 ing the power plantand the relief device.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary vertical section on i a larger scale, showingthe relief device.

The pulsator is a yielding device acted upon by one fluid to displaceanother fluid, and its shape, form and dimensions may be varied. It maybe used in pumping various kinds of fluids, so the disclosure of a deepwell pump is not intended to limit the invention in any way- However,actual use of the invention for a long period of time in deep wells hasshown that its advantages are perhaps most important in this particularfield.

To illustrate a suitable pulsator which actual experience has shown tobe entirely satisfactory, I have shown an elastic tube, preferably madeof rubber, adapted to expand in response to the pressure transmittedghrgugh one fluid, so as to displace another This tube is shown at 1 inFigs. 4 and 5. It lies in a chamber 2, which may be located near thebottom of a well 3, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5.

The liquid to be pumped from the well passes through the chamber 2 andrises in a pipe 4 to a power plant remote from the well, as will behereafter described. The liquid passes the elastic tube 1 and itcontacts with the outer face of said tube, but does not enter into saidtube.

The operating liquid is confined partly by the elastic tube 1 and'partlyby a conductor 5 which extends from said tube to the ower plant. Thisconfined operating liquic does not contact with the liquid to be pumped.

To provide for the admission of liquid to The coupling member 8, screwedonto'the lower end of the chamber 2, is provided with an internalannular flange 9 (Figures 4 and 5) having ports 10 through which theliquid passes. The liquid leaving the chamber 2 passes a check valve 11(Fig. 4) and thence into the conductor 4 which leads'to the power planthereafter described. The check valve 11 is located in the dischargepassageway leading from the top of the chamber 2, and this valveprevents the liquid from returning to said chamber. It will now beunderstood that if the elastic tube 1 (Figures 4 and 5) is expanded andcontracted in the chamber 2, liquid will be drawn into said chamber andthen discharged through the pipe 4. This liquid passes the check valve11 when the elastic tube is exanded, and an additional supply is drawnmgo said chamber during contraction of the tu e. Before describing themeans for pulsating the elastic tube 1, I will refer to the means forsealing said tube, so as to confine the operating fluid therein.

The elastictube 1 surrounds a rigid inner tube 12 made of metal andserving as an abut ment to limit the contraction of the elastic tube,said inner tube being provided with ports 13. The confined operatingfluid passes back and forth through these ports when the elastic tube ispulsated.

The means for sealing the loweg end of the elastictube. (Fig.5)comprises a wire ring 14 surrounding said tube and forcing-a circularportion of it into a groove 15 in the metal tube 12. Another seal isformed at a slightly higher point by means of a bead 16 on the peripheryof the metal tube 12., and a coupling device whereby a circular portionof the elastic tube is forced onto said bead.

This coupling device- (Fig. 5) includesa lower member 17 having a curvedupper margin contacting with the elastic tube at a point opposite thebead 16, an upper member 18 having a curved lower margin contacting withthe elastic tube, and a coupling 19 uniting said upper and lowermembers.

The coupling member '19 has an inturned flange at the bottom engaging ashoulder. on the lower member 17. The upper end of said coupling memberis screwed onto the upper member 18. y

In sealing the lower end of the elastic tube 1,,

the coupling member 19 is screwed onto the upper member 18, with theresult of clamping the elastic tube between the annular bead 16 and saidmembers 17 and 18 A plug 20 is screwed into the lower end of the rigidtube 12 to prevent leakage at this end.

The means for sealing the upper end of the elastic tube issimilarto thesealing means at the lower end, so the upper sealing elements will beonly briefly described. They are most clearly shown in the upper portionof Fig.5. A wire ring 21 forces a portion of the elastic tube into agroove in the rigid metal tube 12. Upper and lower members 22 and 23 areunited by a threaded coupling 24 which may be adjusted to force saimembers toward each. other, thereby fore mg a circular portion of theelastic tube onto a bead 25 near the upper end of the rigid tube 12.

The-upper endof this rigidtube is screwed into a coupling member 26, thelatter being screwed into the head'27 on the top of the chamber 2. Theconductor 5 for the confined operating, fluid is screwed into thecoupling f member 26.

28 designates a rigid abutment tube (Figures 4 and 5) surrounding theelastic tube l and normally separated therefrom to permit expansion.This outer tube 28 is preferably made .of metal, and its upper end isscrewed onto the coupling 24, the lower end of said outer tube beingconfined in the annular flange 9. Said rigid outertube 28 is perforatedto form ports 29 through which the liquid from the well can passback'and forth in response to pulsations of the elastic tube.

The function of the tube 28 is to limit the expansion of the elastictube, and it prevents undue expansion at any point where the elastictube may be relatively Weak. Moreover, since the abutment tube 28 isperforated and separated from the inner face of the chamber 2, said tube28 also serves as a guard to prevent the elastic tube from obstructingthe flow of liquid when said elastic tube is expanded. In other words,the elastic tube cannot under any conditions prevent a flow of liquidthrough the chamber 2.

To prevent the formation of destructive the detachable sealing members18 and 23, near the bottom and top of said tube, are provided withflaring abutments 30 extending from end portions of the elastic tube andhaving curved inner facesadapted to contact with the outer face of saidelastictube when the latter is expanded. -These curved faces prevent theformation of sharp bends in the elastic tube at the points where saidtube is expanded near the sealing members 18 and'23. I,

I will now refer to thepower plant which is mounted on a hollow table 31(Figures 1, 2 and 6) having a compartment 32 to which the conductor 5 isconnected, a compartment 33 to which the conductor 4 is connected, and

a compartment 34 through .which the liquid from the well is eventuallydischarged to a pipe 35, said pipe beinoshown in Fi 1.

The power plant (Figures 3 and 6) includes a cylinder 36 mounted on thetable 31 and containing a piston 37.;- The piston rod 38passes through astuffing box at the top of the cylinder 36, and the upper end of thisrod is connected to a bar 39 extending from a. pair of rods 40 which arereciprocated vertically by any suitable power mechanism. However, I haveshown a motor housing 41, and the powerfll nay be derived fromanelectric motor in this housing.

The lower end of-thecylinder is indirect communication with a port 42(Figures 3 and 6) formed in the top of the compartment 32 which formspart of the means for confining-the operating liquid, said compartment32 being connected to the pipe 5 which leads to the elastic tube. Thisoperating liquid is 1 acted'upon by the bottom face of the piston 37,and-it. does not enter the space above the pistonq In Fig. 3, thehighest position of this isishown by dotted lines.

The liquid pumped from the well (not the confined op'erating liquid)rises through the pipe utQ the compartment 33 (Figures 1 and 2), andleaves said'compartment 33 by passing through a pipe 43 provided with acheck valve 44 (Fig. 3). This pipe 43 leads to bends in the pulsatingelastic tube 1 (Fig. 5)

any

thespace above the piston 37, and it enters the cylinder at a pointabove the highest position of the piston, as shown in Fig. 3. Theoutgoing liquid leaves the cylinder 36 by passing through a pipe 45having a check valve 46 and connected to the compartment 34 (Fig. 1)where the liquid flows as suggested by arrows to the discharge pipe 35which may lead to a storage tank (not shown) or to any other desiredplace for use or distribution.

To understand the operation of the particular apparatus shown by thedrawings, it

will be important to bear in mind that the operating liquid is confinedby the following elements: The pulsating tube 1, the pipe 5 leading fromsaid tube to the compartment 32, and the lower portion of the cylinder36 which communicates with said compartment 32. All of these elementsare entirely filled with the operating liquid, so the motion of theiston 37 is transmitted through the operatmg liquid to the elastic tube1, and this tube pulsates in response to the reciprocation of the piston37.

'When the piston moves downwardly, it displaces operating liquid fromthe cylinder, thereby expanding the elastic tube 1, so as to force someof the other liquid from the well. When the piston 37 moves upwardly,the elastic tube contracts, and. the operating liquid flows upwardly inthe lower portion of the cylinder 36.

When the system is in service, the piston 37 is reciprocated to impartintermittent downward thrusts to the confined operating liquid whichcontacts with the bottom face of said piston, and the confined liquid isthus intermittently subjected to pressure which is transmitted to theelastic tube 1, so as to expand said tube.

It will be understood that the expansion is due to the mechanicalpressure on the confined operating fluid, and that the return motion ofthe tube is due mainly to its elasticity, aided by the pressure of theliquid surrounding the elastic tube, and also aided by the effect of theupward motion of the piston which tends to draw the operating fluid intothe cylinder 36.

Attention is directed to the condition existing at opposite sides of theelastic tube 1. The pressure due to the weight of the confined operatingliquid is exerted on the inner face of the elastic tube, and thispressure tends to expand said tube. However, this pressure may beapproximately balanced by the weight of the elevated body of liquidcontacting with the outer face of said elastic tube, so as toapproximately equalize the liquid pressure at opposite sides of saidtube. This condition exists when the elastic tube is tl leing expandedto lift the liquid from the we The elastic tube is submerged in theliquid in the well, and at certain times, the head pressure of thisliquid tends to contract said tube.

The piston 37 lies between the confined operating liquid in the lowerportion of the cylin der 36 and the other liquid in the upper portion ofsaid cylinder, this other liquid being liquid elevated from the well, sothe piston also serves as a booster for the elevated of the pump, tovary the flow from the well.

Figures 6 and 7 show a reservoir 47 connected to the compartment 32which forms part of the means for confining the operating liquid. Thisreservoir comprises a glass cylinder 48 secured between a top head 49and a bottom 50. A system of pipes 51 extends from the top of thecompartment 32 to the bottom of the reservoir 47. A vertical tube 52,screwed into the bottom 50, extends through the top head 49 (Fig. 6) andis pro-.

vided with a nut 53 engaging said head 49 to unite the elements of thisreservoir. A removable cap 54 is screwed'onto the upper end of the tube52, and this tube has ports 55 near its lower end (Fig. 7 for thedelivery of liquid to the pipe system 51. This pipe system contains acheck valve 56 adapted to occupy the closed position shown in Fig. 7,and adapted to drop by gravity to a seat 57 where it will permit theflow of liquid from the reservoir 47 to the compartment 32. The bottomof this valve 56 has a groove 58 through which liquid may flow when thevalve contacts with the seat 57.

The valve housing 59 (Figures 6 and 7) is screwed onto the pipe system51 at a point below the check valve 56. A tube 60 leads from this valvehousing to the bottom of the reservoir 47 where it extends through astufting box 61. The relief valve is shown in Fig. 7. It comprises acheck valve member 62 provided with a spring seat 63 and a spring 64extendingfrom said seat to a plug 65 screwed into the housin 59. Thisplug may be adjusted to vary t e spring pressure on the relief valve. Aremovable cap 66 closes the outer end of the housing 59.

The relief valve member 62 is thus interposed in the course of liquidwhich passes from the pipe system 51 to the reservoir 47, and this valvewill be opened in response to a predetermined degree of pressure topermit the discharge of portions of the operating liquid to thereservoir 47. This reservoir has a vent hole 67 at the top (Fig; 6) forthe admission and discharge of air.

as follows.

Assuming that all of the liquid. is at rest, and that the piston 37 isdriven by an electric motor which instantly attains its normal speed instarting. The piston 37 quickly imparts a thrust to the operating liquidin the compartment 32, and to avoid a severe shock at this operation,some of the liquid is discharged past the relief valve 62 and into thereservoir 47. The sudden thrust on this liquid closes the gravity checkvalve 56 (Fig. 7) in the pipe system 51, and opens the spring-pressedrelief valve 62. Immediately thereafter, while the piston moves upwardlythe pressure is relieved, and some or all of the discharged liquidreturns by passing the gravity check valve 56.

The foregoing conditions continue with decreasing intensity while themotions of the two main bodies of liquids are being graduallysynchronized, and in a short time the normal conditions are established.Actual experience has shown that the function of this well, withoutvarying either the speed or the displacement of the pump piston 37.

For example, the spring 64 (Fig. 7) may be adjusted so that during eachdownward stroke of the piston 37,.some of the liquid will escape pastthe relief valve 62. In this event, the pressure of the confinedoperating liquid will'be reduced to reduce the expansion of the elastictube 1, thereby reducing the displacement of liquid from the well. Anydesired displacement below the maximum can be obtained by adjusting thespring 64. In this connection, it will be understood that the liquidforced into the reservoir 47' during a downward stroke of the piston 37will be returned by passing ,the check valve 56 during the next upwardstroke of the piston.

After the pumping system is installed in a well, the operating liquidmay be supplied from any convenient source. This liquid may beintroduced through the vertical tube 52 (Figures 6 and 7) in thereservoir 47, said tube having a removable cap 54 at the top. Liquidentering this tube will flow through the pipe system 51, the compartment32, the

pipe 5, and thence into the elastic tube 1 at the bottom of the well.All of these elements should be completely filled with liquid, and allof the air should be discharged therefrom to provide a solid bodyofliquid for the transmission of energy from the piston 37 to theelastic tube in the well. I

Therefore, a vent is provided to discharge the air. To illustrate thisfeature I have shown the piston rod 38 '(Fig.

6.) in the form of a tube open at the bottom and normally closed at thetop by means of a cap 68 which is removed to discharge the air when thepulsating system is being filled with operating liquid. This vent tubepermits the escape of all the air that might be otherwise trapped underthe piston, and it permits the" air to be discharged from' the highestpart of the elements that confine the operating liquid.

The small vent 67 (Fig; 6) in the topof the reservoir 47 is neverclosed, as this vent permits air to pass into and out of the reservoir.In actual practice it is convenient to maintain a reserve supply of theoperating liquid in the reservoir 47 where it can be seen through theglass cylinder 48. This reserve supply will automatically compensate fora slight leakage of operating fluid at any part of the system. Moreover,the level of the liquid in the reservoir 47 serves as an indicator toshow that the system contains the required amount ofoperating liquid,and in the event of leakage, additional liquid can be introduced throughthe tube 52 shown in Figures 6 and 7. i

I claim: 7

1. A pump comprising a conductor through which fluid to be pumped istransmitted, a pulsator wherein an operating fluid is confined, saidpulsator comprising an elastic member in said conductor, an abutmentseparated from the outer face of said elastic member to limit theexpansion thereof, and means whereby pressure is intermittently appliedto said operating fluid, so as to pulsate said elastic member.

2. A pump comprising a chamber through which fluid to be pumped istransmitted, a

plied to said operating fluid, so as to pulsate said elastic member,said abutment being ported to receive the fluid to be pumped.

i 3. A pump comprising a chamber through which fluid to be pumped istransmitted, a

pulsator wherein an operating fluid is confined, said pulsatorcomprising an elastic tube in said chamber, a rigid abutment tubeseparated from the outer face of said elastic tube to limit theexpansion thereof, said rigid abutment tube being ported to receive thefluid to be pumped, and means whereby pressure is intermittently appliedto said operating fluid, so asto pulsate said elastic member.

4. A pump comprising a conductor for the fluid to be pumped, saidconductor including a chamber provided with inlet and discharge valves,a conductor wherein an operating fluid is confined, the last mentionedconductor including an elastic tube in said chamber, and

to contact with the inner face of said elastic tube, said rigid innertube being provided with ports through which portions of the confinedoperating fluid pass to said elastic tube, said elastic tube havingsealing means to prevent leakage of the confined operating fluid, arigid outer tube surrounding said elastic tube and having ports for theadmission and discharge of the fluid to be pumped,

10 said rigid outer tube having an inner abutment face whereby theexpansion of the elastic tube is limited, and means whereby pressure isintermittently applied to said operating fluid so as to pulsate theelastic tube.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto aflix my signature.

CLAUDE G. HOLT.

